those responsible would face the “strictest action”
At least 14 newborn babies have been killed after a fire broke out inside a hospital nursery in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.
The blaze erupted shortly before 7 am local time on Wednesday, August 26, at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital.
The fire broke out on the third floor of the Mother and Child Centre, where newborn babies were being treated in a neonatal facility.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
It also reported that only one infant was rescued from the neonatal facility after the fire broke out.
The blaze was later extinguished by emergency crews, although the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.
Geo TV reported that the fire was likely caused by a short circuit involving a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.
However, this has not been independently confirmed, and authorities are expected to establish the official cause as part of their investigation.
Sharif said those responsible would face the “strictest action” following the tragedy.
He also directed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire.
The incident has left families mourning outside the hospital as authorities work to establish what happened inside the neonatal facility.
The tragedy has also raised concerns about fire safety in Pakistan’s public hospitals and the wider challenges facing the country’s healthcare system.
Building fires are common in Pakistan, where safety regulations and building codes are often poorly enforced.
The country has experienced other deadly fires in recent months.
In January 2026, at least 65 people died after a major fire swept through a crowded shopping complex in Karachi, according to the report.
Wednesday’s hospital fire is among the deadliest hospital fires recorded in Pakistan.
Public hospitals provide subsidised medical treatment across the country but have faced longstanding challenges involving underfunding, overcrowding and management.
The PIMS hospital is a major government-run healthcare facility in Islamabad.
The investigation will now focus on determining how the fire started, how it spread and whether adequate safety measures were in place.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as the investigation progresses.
For families who had newborn children receiving treatment at the facility, the incident has resulted in a devastating loss.
